Great Britain (United Kingdom); Northern Ireland; Carrickfergus: statue of King William III (William of orange; 1650 - 1702) in front of Carrickfergus Castle. Start of building of the Norman Castle of Carrickfergus was due to Norman John de Courcy; between 1177 and 1204. King John (1166 - 1216); nickname John Lackland (German: Johann Ohneland: French: Johan sanz Terre) conquered it; in 1210 after a one year siege. 1316; the castle became scottish. In 1760; the castle was a last time conquered by french troops. Later on; it was used until 1928 as prison and military arsenal. Most important was the landing of King William III (William of Orange); nickname "King Billy"; and his army at Carrickfergus harbour; in 1690: the start of his conquer of Ireland. Marshal Schomberg besieged and took the castle in the week-long Siege of Carrickfergus in 1689. Schomberg's leader; King William III (1650 - 1702) first set foot in Ireland; here; on 14 June 1690. In 1597; the surrounding country was the scene for the Battle of Carrickfergus. Carrickfergus and sourrounding are as well places; where Jonathan Swift (1667 - 1745) took inspiration for the world bestseller "Gulliver`s Travels" (Gullivers Reisen); published 1726.